Sir! Solar Mein Itna Chalta Hai!” When to Reject a Site: The Truth About Shadow Analysis
Sir! Solar Mein Itna Chalta Hai!” When to Reject a Site: The Truth About Shadow Analysis
Site Assessment & Shadow Analysis – An important step before Rooftop Solar PV Installation.
According to MNRE, approximate 10 sq. meters “Shadow Free” area is required for 1 kWp Rooftop Solar PV Installation. The term “Shadow Free” is very important and in this blog we will be discussing about “Site Assessment and Shadow Analysis for Rooftop Solar PV Installation”.
Shadow is one of the factors that will affect the performance of Solar PV system.
Your Solar PV System Array should be designed such that Shadow will not fall on the Solar PV Panels. Shadow can be from parapet walls, tanks, structures, trees, inter row shadow and other objects.
There are many objects , like parapet walls, water tanks , O/D units of AC’s, Dish of antennas, Mummty etc. which can cause shadow. As, shown in the picture above, the objects that are situated at the South Direction of the building will cause shadow on the Solar PV System. So, the system should be designed such that it avoids the shadow of these objects.
Ideally, Solar PV Rooftop System should be designed such that no shadow falls on array, on the day with longest shadow (i.e. usually from 9am to 3pm, on December 21 in Northern Hemisphere). For Shadow analysis from nearby objects and inter rows of solar array, “Solar Path Finder” should be used at the time of Site Assessment.
The thumb rule says, that we should leave at least 1.5 to 2 times the Height of object (placed in South of the building), to avoid the Shadow effect on the PV modules. The same goes with Inter Row Spacing of the Solar PV Array, at least 1.5 to 2 times the Height of the Structure should be left in between the two rows, to avoid the Shadow effect.
Now all you need is to cross check the layout design of the Rooftop Solar PV System, as provided by the installer or need to clarify this with the installer, that what distance they had left to reduce the losses due to shadow.
If it is less than 1.5 to 2 times the Object Height, and if he says “Sir! Solar Mein Itna Chalta Hai!!”, then you surely needs to change your installer.
We’ll be talking on more such issues in our future blogs.
Suggested Articles
Solar O&M Services: How to Ensure Peak Performance & Maximum Power for Solar System
Discover how Solar O&M services keep your solar system running at its best. From routine maintenance to performance monitoring, ensure maximum power and efficiency.
Solar Installation on Sloped Roofs: Design, Mounting Systems & Best Practices
A practical guide to flat roof solar installation covering key design considerations, mounting system types, and best practices for efficient and reliable performance.
Inverter Operation and Anti-Islanding Testing Guide
A complete guide to solar inverter testing and anti-islanding performance verification, including AC system measurements and commissioning best practices.
Everything You Need to Know About Solar PV Modules
Solar PV modules explained: how they generate electricity, their benefits, and why they’re key to renewable energy growth.
India’s Renewable Energy Revolution: The Role of Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics, the integration of solar panels with agricultural land, is emerging as a key driver in India’s renewable energy revolution. This blog explains how agrivoltaics supports sustainable farming, increases land efficiency, and contributes to clean energy production, helping India meet its solar energy targets while boosting rural economies.
Solar Energy for Petrol Pumps: Benefits, Savings, and Implementation
Petrol pumps can significantly reduce energy costs and carbon footprint by adopting solar power. This guide explains the benefits, types of solar installations, and how fuel stations can leverage renewable energy for sustainable and efficient operations.
Latest Solar Mounting Structures: Smarter, Stronger, and More Efficient
Learn how the latest solar mounting structures in 2025 improve efficiency, reduce costs, and power the future of solar installations.
Go Off-Grid with Solar Energy: A Complete Guide
Living off-grid, more commonly defined as not having a dependence on public utilities such as electricity, sounds appealing for a lot of reasons. The idea of being self-sufficient, powering your own home with solar energy, and maybe even building that home with your own two hands can sound like a dream and a challenge for people who wish to live life on their terms.